www.inkthinkerblog.com — I think I’m going to see if I can borrow Miss Snark‘s clue gun and fire it at the entire subscription list of one LISTSERV I belong to. I’ll start with the list administrator and then work my way down.
Somehow, the entire e-mail-using membership of one particular professional organization that I belong to has been subscribed to a LISTSERV that most of us didn’t know existed until we got a message today. This resulted in a slew (and I’m talking close to 70) of messages back to the list with unsubscribe requests in less than eight hours. Okay, the first one, not a big deal. Someone pointed out that the only way to unsubscribe is to use the clearly written unsubscribe instructions that appear at the bottom of every list message. I assumed it would be over and done with after that elucidation. However, I was mistaken.
Now, despite the fact that these instructions are at the bottom of every list message, and despite the fact that about half a dozen messages have gone out from helpful list members with those instructions at the top, then explained, then automatically again at the bottom, more than 50 people have continued to send messages to the entire list asking to be unsubscribed. What part of USE THE UNSUBSCRIBE INSTRUCTIONS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MESSAGE is so hard?
The thing that really irks me about this is that the organization is a group of writers and editors in a specialized field that requires a lot of higher-level thinking skills, and the only people who can get on this list are bona fide members. I used to feel great about my membership, but now I’m not so pleased. Apparently, I’m sharing an organization with “writers” who lack basic literacy skills. This is not reassuring. In fact, it’s rather frightening.
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Finalist in 2006 Writer’s Digest Best Writer’s Website Contest
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I feel your pain, Kristen. I belong to a slew of lists wherein people don’t seem to know how to unsubscribe. Often I will reply directly to them with the instructions, but that would be difficult with as many messages as you are receiving from that list.
It’s moronic, really. You have my sympathy. Hope you’re doing well!
Yep, I understand your frustration. I’ve cut way back on my “memberships” because I don’t have time for other people’s idiocy– I’d rather focus on my own work.